BOLD CLIMATE ACTION

Fiercely Protecting California’s Central Coast Since 1970

2023
Impact
Report

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Photo by Matt Dayka

A Letter from our CEO and Board President

Photo by Sarita Relis Photography

Photo by J Andrew Hill

Dear Friends,

We wanted you to be the first to receive the Community Environmental Council’s most recent Impact Report summary, a snapshot of how we are doubling down to convert an historically oil producing region to one that is regenerative and renewable.

At a time when the federal administration’s regressive climate policies threaten to unravel years of progress, California serves as a critical bulwark, and its stance will determine whether the United States advances or regresses by decades in climate protection. Communities like ours play a vital role by providing courage, backbone, and proof of concept that strengthen and inform state-wide policies.

Now is the moment – when things get dark and chaotic – when lighthouse communities like ours are most needed.

Despite the unexpected loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding, CEC is more determined than ever to ensure that Central Coast lighthouses remain lit. In the absence of a federal climate action plan, subnational climate leadership like ours is the only path forward.

In 2025, CEC has adjusted our focus to meet the realities and opportunities of the era we now find ourselves in. Our action plan:

Resist federal rollbacks and maintain California’s position as a climate leader, providing a model for national and global action
Protect vulnerable communities on the Central Coast from the immediate impacts of climate change
Ensure that the green transition is rapid, equitable, and achievable
Convert public angst into action — including providing skills and outlets for the voices of youth
Transform the Central Coast from a fossil fuel-dependent region to a living laboratory for climate innovation

We won’t stop working every day to ensure that our region is a tangible, real-world model of what healthy, equitable, climate-safe communities can look like. And neither should you.

Sincerely,

Sigrid Wright
Chief Executive Officer

Jon Clark
Board President

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

During another year of significant growth, we continued to sharpen our focus and deepen our capacity to respond regionally to the global climate crisis. In 2023 we successfully closed our five-year, 50th Anniversary Campaign and opened an Environmental Hub for the community. We continued to diversify our revenue streams, increasing our billable grants and contract revenue by 55 percent. This allowed us to broaden existing programs, expand our service area, and develop new projects and partnerships. CEC consistently receives high ratings from GuideStar and Charity Navigator for financial health, accountability, and transparency.

$10.9 MILLION in assets

$4 Million operating budget (19% growth)

27%GROWTH in program investment

CEC’s Legacy:

50+ Years of Environmental Leadership

For more than 50 years, CEC has strategically catalyzed change on the Central Coast, influencing California and beyond.

Founded one of the nation’s first ecology centers
Founded one of the nation’s first learning and research community gardens
Opened one of the nation’s first community recycling centers
Pioneered hazardous waste collection and curbside recycling programs
Helped pass California’s recycling law, the first in the nation
Built the Watershed Resource Center at Arroyo Burro Beach
Shifted CEC’s mission to focus on climate change
Published one of the nation’s first carbon neutrality plans
Installed the first Rethink the Drink water bottle refill station in a local school
Launched a solarize program that helped nearly 1,000 homeowners and nonprofits install solar
Published a countywide community-driven food action plan that led to the launch of the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network
Secured city commitments to 100% renewable energy
Achieved Community Choice Energy for most of the region
Co-founded the Central Coast Climate Justice Network
Secured our region’s first wind farm
Named California Nonprofit of the Year
CEO Sigrid Wright named Congressional Woman of the Year
Opened our region’s first Environmental Hub in downtown Santa Barbara
Launched an Electrify Your Life service to help individuals and businesses switch to renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions
Trained and certified our 154th CEC Climate Steward, and counting
Trained and certified our 210th (and counting) CEC Climate Steward

Photo by Matt Dayka

Our Work

CEC builds on-the-ground momentum to reverse the threat of the climate crisis.

We transform the systems that fuel it. We safeguard the community from its impacts. We lead, we partner, we act. And every day, we move people to create a more resilient California Central Coast.

As the modern environmental movement broadens to better reflect the racial, economic, political, and age diversity of our region, we are building networks of diverse, engaged activists who champion rigorous climate action.

By focusing our efforts, together we are making progress to:

REVERSE the trajectory of climate change by propelling a rapid, equitable transition to zero emissions and zero waste in the Central Coast’s energy, transportation, food, agriculture, construction, and waste sectors.

REPAIR the disrupted carbon cycle by accelerating and bringing to scale climate-smart agriculture practices that draw down excess carbon from the atmosphere.

PROTECT vulnerable populations from extreme weather and other climate impacts by deploying bold, community-led solutions rooted in climate justice.

50+ Years of proven success leading locally designed solutions to our region’s most pressing environmental challenges.

2023 | CEC's Impact at a Glance

55,000

Community members were INFORMED, ACTIVATED, AND GUIDED ON CLIMATE ACTION by CEC through events, meetings, and webinars in 2023.

300

tons of compost applied on Gaviota Coast rangelands in 2023 reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,303 metric tons.

1.5 million

Residents in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties have access to 100% renewable and clean electricity sooner because of CEC’s advocacy for community choice energy programs.

154

Community members are Certified CEC Climate Stewards equipped to play an active role in the statewide effort to advance rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.

961

Residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations accessed incentives for EVs, EV chargers, solar, energy efficiency, and renewable energy through CEC’s Electrify Your Life concierge service in 2023.

17,160

Residents will have access to CENTRALIZED DISASTER SERVICES, SUPPORT, AND EDUCATION at our region’s first three climate resilience hubs, launched in 2023.

7.5 million

single-use water bottles were not used because of 125 community water refill stations installed as a direct result of CEC’s Waste Reduction program.

114

CEC Climate Activists in 17 cities across the Central Coast region are helping advance strong policies that bring equitable climate solutions to scale.

OUR WORK

CEC spent 10-plus years tracking, helping improve, and advocating for the Strauss Wind Farm, which opened near Lompoc this year with 27 wind turbines, generating enough electricity for 36,000 homes.
Photo by BayWa r.e.

OUR VISION

CEC collaborates with a diverse group of passionate and committed community members and partners to enact bold policies that bring equitable climate solutions to scale. When the California Central Coast advances ambitious climate goals and solutions, we illuminate a path for more aggressive policies across the state.

In 2023, CEC:

Scaled up environmental advocacy across city councils, boards of supervisors, and legislative bodies by engaging CEC Climate Activists to support climate policies in their communities.

Successfully campaigned for the City of Port Hueneme and County of San Luis Obispo to join community choice energy programs, bringing the total number of Central Coast residents who have access to clean energy to nearly 1.5 million. CEC is part of a coalition that pushed Central Coast Community Energy to adopt project selection criteria that incorporates strong labor and environmental justice standards
that serve as a model for other community choice energy programs.

Introduced an ecological framework for revitalizing downtown Santa Barbara to guide future development and ensure the well-being of residents and our environment.

What’s Ahead

Advocate for the City and County of Santa Barbara and the cities of Guadalupe and Camarillo to adopt ambitious climate action plans that accelerate state mandates and timelines for reaching zero-carbon goals.

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Enacting Bold Climate Policies, Together

The Community Environmental Council’s Climate Activists are spurring a groundswell of grassroots policy action across California’s Central Coast. Since early 2023, more than 100 residents from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties have asked to be notified of opportunities to take action in their communities. When a climate policy item is presented to a city council or board of supervisors, CEC Climate Activists in that region are alerted with details about the meeting and guidance on how to participate.

In 2023, activists spoke at city council meetings, submitted public comments, and rallied their communities in support of issues like building electrification and 100% clean electricity. The collaborative efforts of CEC, partner organizations, and community members play a crucial role in driving bold climate policies forward and building momentum for a just, resilient Central Coast.

A groundswell of climate action

CEC is building a network of climate activists in cities across our region who are helping advance strong policies that bring equitable climate solutions to scale.

“Collective efforts create a meaningful impact that can effect change in the community.”

—Rodney Smith
CEC Climate Activist & Student Fellow, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas

CEC Climate Activist

A community member who, alongside CEC’s Climate Policy team, participates in public meetings, sends emails to elected officials, and shares opportunities for action with friends, family, and neighbors.

CEC Climate Activist Rodney Smith provided public comment in support of a building electrification ordinance in the City of Ventura.

Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

OUR WORK

City of Guadalupe residents are especially impacted by air pollution from pesticides, dust, and other agricultural inputs. Photo by Mar y Sol Productions.

OUR VISION

In a region with extreme wealth disparity and some of the highest poverty rates in the state, CEC is deploying bold, community-led action rooted in climate justice to protect our most vulnerable populations against climate impacts. We engage frontline communities and create spaces where underrepresented voices can directly participate in solutions.

In 2023, CEC:

Through the Guadalupe Community Air Project, collected and analyzed local air quality data and created bilingual resources and opportunities for community discourse on air pollution, pesticide exposure, and health.

Hosted 19 meetings with presenters from 15 partner organizations for Nuestro Tiempo (Our Time), a space for Spanish-speaking community members to learn more about how climate change intersects with key issues, share ideas and concerns, and design ways to take action.

Partnered with the County of Santa Barbara to deliver a Spanish-language electric vehicle (EV) training for 33 peer educators to help enroll low-income or disadvantaged households in CEC’s free EV purchase guidance services. The partnership more than tripled CEC’s capacity to conduct Spanish-language EV outreach and education in the region.

What’s Ahead

Through a new collaboration with Dignity Health, expand the Guadalupe Community Air Project to communities in the City of Santa Maria and Southern San Luis Obispo County that are disproportionately affected by air quality and more likely to have existing medical conditions. The project will bring together multilingual groups to share knowledge and learn how to protect themselves from health issues caused by intersecting climate impacts tied to agriculture, wildfire smoke, and heat.

“Air quality monitors
tell us what the air contains, how it affects us, and gives us information so we are able to protect ourselves.”

—Ranulfo Morales
Field Worker

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Expanding Language Access

In order to build a climate-resilient future, we must involve everyone who is impacted, including frontline communities that speak many languages. One way CEC is working to ensure all stakeholders are involved is by deepening our partnership with Rooted Language Justice (RLJ), an immigrant women-led enterprise that provides Spanish-English language interpretation and translation services.

In 2023, RLJ provided over 200 hours of language services to facilitate live interpretation at 11 CEC events, translation for 125 educational materials, and consultation and training on best practices for integrating language justice in multilingual spaces. As a result, CEC has been able to more deeply engage Spanish-speaking communities in climate action — and inspire our partners to make language access a priority.

Nayra Pacheco Guzman and Javi Infante Varas of Rooted Language Justice help organizations like CEC integrate language justice into their work through language access.
Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

“Providing language services is one way we make this movement accessible to the communities most affected by climate change.”

—Javi Infante Varas
Co-founder, Rooted Language Justice

Language access

The use of language assistance (i.e., interpretation and translation) so that people who speak non-dominant languages can have access to information, public services, and civic engagement.

Language justice

The just systematic treatment of people from all linguistic communities and respect for the fundamental language rights of all people.

OUR WORK

CEC, the Gray Panthers Santa Barbara Network, and the Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara hosted a forum for seniors to address how they can prepare for extreme heat and play a more direct role in building community resilience. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

OUR VISION

Building resilience requires a whole community approach that considers socioeconomic inequities and structural racism, and prioritizes community-led solutions that support a broad range of needs. CEC is pioneering climate adaptation and resilience efforts that are rooted in equity, catalyzed by place-based innovation, and integrated into long-term planning so that our approach evolves with our changing world.

Community-designed and led centers for resilience that offer centralized disaster services, support, and education to residents who are most vulnerable, or at high risk, during disasters.

In 2023, CEC:

Through the Santa Barbara County Wildfire Resilience Collaborative, prioritized 10 sites in the City of Goleta and surrounding areas for habitat restoration and wildfire resilience projects, and updated plans to accelerate the implementation of more than 50 projects identified by the Regional Priority Plan to Reduce Wildfire Risk and Improve Forest Health in Santa Barbara County.

Led community engagement, developed tools, and provided technical assistance for the California Central Coast’s first three climate resilience hubs. A Resilience
Hubs Accelerator program was designed so that we can activate more resilience hubs throughout our region, more quickly.

Joined the global Extreme Heat Resilience Alliance (EHRA) and collaborated with regional partners to raise awareness about the increasing threat of extreme heat events in our region. Together, we are identifying solutions that support our most
at-risk populations.

What’s Ahead

Continue to lead and participate in regional and statewide adaptation networks, including the Central Coast Climate Collaborative, the Alliance of Regional Collaboratives for Climate Adaptation, and EHRA. These networks help us track, advocate for, and be ready to unlock significant state funding and investment for climate resilience, building capacity across the nexus of community-based organizations doing the work.

“Extreme heat causes more deaths annually than any other climate impact in California. The combination of an extreme heat wave and power outages could present a large-scale tragedy for our most vulnerable residents.”

—Em Johnson
Director of Climate Resilience, CEC

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Building Resilience for the Future

In an effort to build community resilience to extreme weather impacts, the Community Environmental Council is partnering with the County of Santa Barbara and several area non-profit organizations to establish our region’s first three climate resilience hubs. Having seen firsthand the traumatic effects of natural disasters on families in her community, Executive Director Jamie Collins was thrilled that Girls Inc. of Carpinteria was selected as a hub. She sees it as an opportunity to provide shelter and resources to community members during climate-related disasters and teach children how to talk about these events.

To further her organization’s impact, Jamie enrolled in CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program. She gained a deeper understanding of how climate change is impacting our region, how to communicate about these impacts, and how to take action. Jamie plans to incorporate this knowledge into future programming for the 1,000 girls her organization serves each year — and continue building strong collaborations with local nonprofits, including CEC, to support youth advocacy and foster climate resilience.

Girls, Inc. Carpinteria, led by CEC Climate Steward alumna Jamie Collins, is one of three climate resilience hubs that CEC is helping launch in Santa Barbara County. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria doubles as a climate resilience hub that can host up to 500 individuals during a disaster and offers 3 days of solar power during grid outages.

“My job is to prepare kids for the future, and that includes climate change.”

—Jamie Collins
Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria

OUR WORK

CEC Climate Stewards attended a field trip at the UC Santa Barbara North Campus Open Space to learn about restoration and the protective barrier wetlands provide against sea level rise and other climate impacts. Photo by Kristen Weiss.

OUR VISION

With the increase in catastrophic climate events, we need more people to take an active role in protecting our communities. CEC is building networks of diverse, engaged activists who are equipped to champion rigorous climate action in their neighborhoods, businesses, and homes. Together, we can move at the unprecedented pace required to reverse, repair, and protect against climate threats.

In 2023, CEC:

Opened the Environmental Hub, a 10,000-square-foot epicenter for community activism, education, entrepreneurship, media, and art, located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Since opening in July, the Hub has hosted more than 200 meetings and events.

Piloted our first youth climate workshop, adapting CEC’s Climate Stewards certification program for middle and high school students so they learn about climate change and feel empowered to take immediate climate action.

Informed, activated, and guided more than 55,000 individuals on climate action through events, meetings, and webinars.

“CEC’s youth climate workshops are an amazing way to learn about new ways to help in your community and meet new people who are passionate about the environment.”

—Valentina, 10th Grade
San Marcos High School

What’s Ahead

Continue to grow the network of 154 CEC Climate Steward alumni, and counting, to provide ongoing support and resources, and to evaluate the impact of their grassroots leadership in communities across our region.

OUR WORK

Spotlight: CEC’s Environmental Hub

In July 2023, CEC opened the California Central Coast’s first Environmental Hub as a nexus for advocacy, innovation, and community empowerment in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Since then, the Hub has engaged more than 6,000 community members in dozens of events focused on climate action.

The 10,000-square-foot space boasts energy-saving technologies and sustainable building materials. It includes CEC staff offices, two meeting and event venues, and five mission-aligned non-profit tenants. Non-profit organizations have priority use of the space, and a handful of pre-selected volunteer-driven and BIPOC-led partner organizations are offered free and deeply discounted use of the Hub for meetings, workshops, and networking events. By catalyzing collective action and fostering a sense of community ownership, the Hub embodies the spirit of environmental stewardship and serves as a driving force for positive change.

CEC’s state-of-the-art Environmental Hub was designed to provide innovative and collaborative space for gatherings of all kinds. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

“CEC’s Environmental Hub is galvanizing downtown Santa Barbara as an epicenter of bold community-led climate action.”

—Robin Elander
Downtown Santa Barbara

OUR WORK

CEC worked with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast to bring solar, battery storage, and EV charging to their Ventura healthcare facilities, allowing them to operate — and be more resilient — during grid outages. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

OUR VISION

By transitioning completely to renewables and electrifying our vehicles and buildings, we can leverage clean electricity to get fossil fuels out of our region for good, while developing innovative, equitable, and replicable programs. CEC is working to rapidly move the California Central Coast to use 100% of the electricity that powers our homes, businesses, and cars from efficient, clean, and renewable sources.

In 2023, CEC:

Established Electrify Your Life, a free concierge service offering one-on-one support in Spanish and English to residents, businesses, and nonprofits that want to access incentives or information on energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

In collaboration with Communities in Charge, provided technical assistance to potential electric vehicle (EV) charging sites in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties. Because of our support, 20 sites are expected to make upgrades in 2024, ensuring reliable, energy efficient chargers for Central Coast EV drivers.

Through our EVs for Everyone/EVs Para Todos program, helped low- to moderate-income individuals use the best available incentives and rebates.

In support of the Tri-County Regional Energy Network’s (3C-REN) Home Energy Savings programs, CEC guided close to 200 single- and multi-family property owners and managers on how to access rebates for home energy upgrades. As a result, 538 housing units, and counting, across the Central Coast are transitioning to cleaner, more efficient energy.

What’s Ahead

Through a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, exponentially scale up EV adoption through expanded outreach, education, and one-on-one purchasing guidance to meet and exceed our region’s decarbonization goals.

OUR WORK

CEC’s partner White Buffalo Land Trust launched a pilot with Santa Barbara County farmers to scale the cultivation of the Western Blue Elderberry, a promising crop that has the potential to adapt to our warming climate, while expanding market opportunities for growers through increased market share. Photo by Liam Pickhardt.

OUR VISION

Through collaborations with California Central Coast agricultural operations, we are demonstrating that compost application, cover-cropping, and prescribed grazing practices can increase carbon sequestration, water infiltration, and biodiversity. CEC is working to bring these climate-smart practices to scale and create a network of land stewards and agricultural stakeholders so that together, we can adapt to climate change impacts and create stronger, more resilient food systems.

In 2023, CEC:

Developed a targeted prescribed grazing plan for a Northern Santa Barbara County homeowners association to leverage funding and accelerate the adoption of ecological grazing within the Wildland Urban Interface. The plan will help build wildfire awareness and a deeper understanding of mitigation tactics and serve as a template for other communities across the region.

In partnership with the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and Agromin, spread 300 tons of compost on Gaviota Coast rangelands to demonstrate how this climate-smart practice increases carbon capture and improves soil health.

In collaboration with White Buffalo Land Trust, supported small-scale and disadvantaged farmers in cultivating the native, perennial Western Blue Elderberry to demonstrate how climate-adaptive crops can expand pollinator habitat, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance growers’ economic viability.

What’s Ahead

Collaborate with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Cachuma and Ventura County Resource Conservation Districts to support growers in planting pollinator habitat on agricultural lands through financial incentives and technical support. More than 23,000 linear feet of pollinator hedgerows have been planned so far.

OUR WORK

CEC’s Plastic Free July Expo offered the community an opportunity to learn about the impacts of plastic pollution and how to reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

OUR VISION

Recycling has been a landfill diversion solution for several decades — but it’s not enough to mitigate climate emissions. CEC is driving progress towards a zero-waste society with circular economy models that transition our waste stream to a closed-loop system of reuse and turn hard-to-recycle waste streams into reusable resources that reduce pollution.

In 2023, CEC:

Provided resources, equipment, and funding to CEC’s Santa Barbara County Food Rescue partner, Veggie Rescue. This support resulted in the recovery of 955,265 pounds of high-quality food that was distributed to local organizations that feed community members experiencing food insecurity.

Installed four new public water stations in the City of Santa Barbara, bringing the total to 125 bottle-filling hydration stations in schools, parks, and public spaces throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

Established an annual Plastic Free July Expo at CEC’s Environmental Hub, featuring more than a dozen community partners that shared solutions to plastic pollution and opportunities to advocate for plastic reduction regulations.

What’s Ahead

Push the City and County of Santa Barbara to follow the City of Goleta’s lead and pass laws that promote comprehensive single-use plastics reduction and circular economy policies, providing a model for other jurisdictions. Due to CEC’s advocacy, the City of Carpinteria updated their regulations to match the City of Goleta’s in January of 2024.

The Community Environmental Council believes that it will take all of us, working together in new ways, to solve the climate crisis. Bound together by a shared sense of urgency and accountability, we are partnering with businesses, organizations, schools, and governments on specific climate action outcomes to accelerate progress and build a truly resilient community.

In 2023, CEC partnered with:

Ann Jackson Family Foundation
Anonymous
Anonymous, in honor of Karl Hutterer
Sally Warner-Arnett & G. William Arnett ²
Mary Becker
Leslie Sweem Bhutani & Ashish Bhutani, in honor of Pat & Derrell Sweem
Diane Boss
Elisabeth & Greg Fowler
Karl & Nancy Hutterer ²
Charles D. Kimbell ²
John C. Mithun Foundation
Patricia MacFarlane
Charles & Betsy Newman
Stacy & Ron Pulice
Matt & Andrea Riley
Elizabeth Weber

$50,000-$99,999

Dennis Allen & Jennifer Cushnie
Katie Davis
Emily, Dan, Casey & Willow Engel
Errett Fisher Foundation
Carolyn & Andrew Fitzgerald
Bonnie Jensen & Dick Jensen
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Living Peace Foundation
Santa Barbara Foundation
Sara Miller McCune
Jessica & Michael McLernon ²
Ken & Jo Saxon
Peter Schuyler & Lisa Stratton
Anne Smith Towbes & Michael Smith, in honor of Hal Conklin
Weingart Foundation

$25,000-$49,999

Anonymous
Marguerite & Richard Berti, in honor of Hal Conklin
Carolyn Cogan, in honor of Jules Zimmer
Gene & Deanna Dongieux
El Gato Channel Foundation
Tisha Weber Ford
Kristin & Richard Hogue
Carrie Towbes & John Lewis
Barbara & Albert Lindemann
Elliott MacDougall
McCune Foundation
SAGE Publishing
Schlinger Family Foundation
Stacy & Scott Semel
Holly & Lanny Sherwin
Geof & Laura Wyatt, in honor of Kathi King

$5,000-$24,999

Anonymous
Wally Arnold
Lynn Sarko & Laurie Ashton
Audacious Foundation
Audi Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara Auto Group ³
B & B Foundation
Chris & Wendy Blau
Ruth H. Brown Foundation
Chandler & Nicole Buie
Bunnin Chevrolet ³
City of Santa Barbara ³
The Crawford Idema Family Foundation
Cultivate Events ¹
Dave & Jean Davis
Gwen Dawson
Deckers Outdoor Corporation
James & Deanna Dehlsen
Nicole Delesalle ¹
Allyson & John Harris Du Bois
Brad Fiedel & Ann Dusenberry
Nadra Ehrman
Oliver English ¹
Dodd & Beth Geiger
Ginberg Family Trust
Martin & Kerrilee Gore
Belle Hahn, The Little One Foundation
Holdfast Collective
JL Foundation
KARL STORZ Imaging, in honor of Hal Conklin
Bruce Kendall
Pat McElroy & Bonnie Kerwin
Kind World Foundation
KJEE ¹
Pippa Hames-Knowlton & Christopher Knowlton
MarBorg Industries ³
Maryanne Mott, in honor of Hal Conklin
Matilija Pure Water Systems ¹
Mike & Betty Noling
The Outhwaite Foundation
Pacific Beverage Co.³
David Pellow
PHAROS Creative, LLC ¹
Polestar Los Angeles ³
Tony & Kyra Rogers
The SAGE Trust
Brett Matthews & Ginger Salazar
Santa Barbara Independent ¹
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians ³
Ken & Jo Saxon, in honor of Hal Conklin
Bryan & Eva Schreier
Herbert Schulte
Seth Streeter - Mission Wealth Management
Randy Solakian Estates Group
Tana Sommer-Belin
Tomchin Family Charitable Foundation
James & Charlotte Villanueva
WWW Foundation
Barbara Delaune Warren
Christel Wittenstein
Sigrid Wright & Matt Parisi ²
Clifford & Crystal Wyatt
Katherine & Stephanie Yeung
Gail Osherenko & Oran Young

$1,000-$4,999

Adam Stempel - Ariadne Wealth Management
Allen Construction
Joseph Andrulaitis & Kent
Mixon - Andrulaitis + Mixon Architects
William & Deirdre Arntz
B&B Foundation
Diane Beamer
Boone Graphics ¹
Brander Vineyard ¹
Bree’Osh ¹
Brighten Solar ³
Brittingham Family Foundation
Bye Bye Mattress ³
Karen & Peter Brill
Laura Capps
Central Coast Clean Cities Coalition ³
Central Coast Community Energy ³
Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Fiat of Santa Barbara ³
Catherine Brozowski & Steve Conner
Cox Communications ³
Julie Capritto
John & Marcia Cohen
Jon & Susan Clark
Mally Chakola & Dean Jackson
Shawn Dailey
Dancing Tides Foundation
Christine & Robert DeVries
e-bikery ³
Edhat ¹
Judy & Rob Egenolf
El Gato Channel Foundation ³
Electric Bikes of Santa Barbara ³
Dan Emmett
Claire & Lars Fackler
Brian Fahnestock
Jean Farley
Judith Favor, In Memoriam
Janet Garufis
Ken & Nancy Goldsholl
Willliam Goldsmith
Geoff Green
Grid Alternatives ³
Jay Grigsby
Barbara Hirsch
Denis & Gail Hayes
Cameron Gray & Julie Heider-Gray
Jeremy Hilton
Islay Events ¹
Sharyn Johnson
Johnson Ohana Foundation
Jean Kaplan
Edward & Martha Kaufman
KIVA Cowork
Kleid Family Charitable Fund
LOACOM ¹
Ruth Loomer
Karen Lehrer
Louise LaMothe
MN Studio
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams ^{1, 3}
Sally MacIntyre & John Melack
Montecito Bank & Trust ³
Montecito Union School
Nature Lab ¹
Moller Family Foundation
Kimberly Monda
Sally Morgan
Dancing Tides Foundation, Pete & Jillian Muller
Ben Sprague & Analise Maggio
Noozhawk ¹
Optimize Your Water ¹
PALMA Colectiva ¹
Ivette Peralta
Dennis Thompson & Lois Phillips
Katy Powers
Rad Power Bikes ³
Russell Radom
Carrie & Mike Randolph
Edgar Rhodes
Lisa Murphy Rivas
Rosenthal-Cohen Foundation
Sandhi Wines ¹
Laurie Ashton & Lynn Sarko
SBCC Foundation ³
SBC Food Action Network ³
SBC Air Pollution Control District ³
James Semick
Justin Fantl & Katrina Sprague
SBC Food Action Network ³
SBC Air Pollution Control District ³
Sunkissed Pantry ³
Swell Energy Inc. ³
Solectrac ³
Solminer Wine Company ¹
Eric & Anita Sonquist
Terra Malia Designs ¹
Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) ³
Trippers & Askers ¹
Edward & Joan Tomeo
Bickley Townsend
Stacey & Christopher Ulep
Carol Vernon
Ventura Volkswagen ³
Voice Magazine ¹
Whole Foods Market ¹
White Buffalo Land Trust ¹
William & Mary Zant
Danna & Zohar Ziv

$100-$999

Michael Ableman
Rachel Altman
Ameriprise
Corey & Jill Anderson
Angela Antenore
Apiary Beverage Co. ¹
Joan Ariel
Jim & Debbie Arnesen
Grant Bane
Jeremy Bassan
Mary Baum & Eric Cantlay
Elisa Atwill
Autumn Brands ¹
Jeremy Becker
Jocelyn Belloni
Megan Birney Rudert
Dianne Black
Ronald Blitzer
Steve Brillhart
Elizabeth & Norman Brown
W. Elliot Brownlee
Burns Levinson LLP
John & Gail Campanella
Canopy Club
Lois Capps
Nancy Clare Caponi
Geoffrey Carter
Claude Case
Sarah Cetrulo
Russell Chamberlin
Danuta Charwat-Mccall
Charu Chaubal
Linda Cheresh
Lee Chiacos
Darlene Chirman
Kate Christensen
Barbara Clark
Stephen & Marian Cohen
Dianne Coin
Irene Cooke
Michael & Marni Cooney
Carol Cottom & Bruce Bradtmiller, in honor of Irene Cooke
Rachel Couch
Robert & Margaret Crocco
John & Maria Felice Cunningham
David Cutler-Kreutz
Lilyan Cuttler & Ned Seder
Cuyama Beverage Co. ¹
Carla D’Antonio
Lynn Darnton
Michael Dean
Janet DeBard
Rita Donahoe
Ydun Donahoe
Bradley Dyruff & Karen Roberts
Sandra Eacret
Terry & Sally Eagle
Harriet Eckstein & Alan Irwin, in honor of Dave Davis
Jon Edwards
Robert Else
Vivian Engel
Cassandra Ensberg
Elizabeth Fallows
Bill & Susan Ferguson
Philip Fine
Dick Flacks
Flair Project ¹
John Forrest
Kristen Frascella
Carla Frisk & Jeffrey Newton
Jonathan Gartner
Tish Gainey
John Gerig
Lucia Gill
Stephanie Glatt
Jessica Graham
Sandra Grasso-Boyd & Bill Boyd
Dwight Gregory
Frances Hahn
Michael Hamman
Ali & Drew Hanson
Bethany Harkrider
Gregg Hart
Barbara & Roy Harthorn
Jerry Hatchett
Paul Hayes & Maggie Moss Tucker
Julie Hayes-Nadler
Lee E. Heller
David Hennerman & Barbara Widmer
Kelly Herting
Mary & Helen Heyden
Kelly Hildner
Lisa & Andrew Hill
Ashley Hollister
J.B. Holmes
Jean Holsten
Whitney Hoover
Mary E Howe-Grant
Jennifer Hulford
Hannah-Beth Jackson
Mary Jacob
Steve Jacobsen
Vijaya Jammalamadaka
Marian Jean
Emily Jensen
Heidi Jensen & Ronald Winston
Ivor & Jean John
Mary Johnson
Ruth Johnson
Tammy & Belma Michael Johnson
David Jones
Ami & Tom Kearns
Patricia Kelley & James Buckley
Hugh Kelly
Kathi & Jeff King
Scott Kipp
Jonah Klein
Kristen Koch
Whitney Kopf
Sara Kvaas
Lawrence Livermore
National Labs
Mike Lazaro
David Landecker
Jennifer LeMay
Rikard Lesley
Lori Lewis
Kirsten Liske
Betty Little
RT Livingston
Brian Lloyd
Fred Loquasto III
Peggy Jo Love, in honor of Dennis Allen
Stacey Lydon
Mike & Mary Lynn Mallen
Connie Maday
Blake & Jennifer Markham
Gail Marshall
Jerry Martin
Sarah Martin
A. Michael Marzolla
Nancy McConnell
James McGee
Janet McGinnis
Riva & Kevin McLernon
Antoinette McQueen
Medtronic
Megan Miley
Anne Milgrim
Clare Miner-McMahon
Jolea Moes
Richard Mokler
Leigh Ann Montano
Wayne Morgan
Gordon & Sheila Morrell
Allen Mosher
Sierra Muller
Joan & Bill Murdoch
Mark & Shira Musicant
Robert & Jeanette Mustacich
Steve Nelson
Ginger & Daniel Oros
Carl Palmer
Kendall Pata
Paypal Giving Fund
Constance Penley
Lanette Perry
April Peterson
Gregg Peterson
Kathy Pfeifer
Michelle Pickett
Sarah Pizzaruso
Willam & Dolores Pollock
Jeanie-Marie Price
Gail Rappaport
REÅLEA® SKINCARE ¹
Melissa Riparetti-Stepien
Jessica Risko Smith
Alan Roberson
The Roddick Foundation
Doug Roberts
James Robertson
Gilbert Robledo
Yolanda Robles
Anthony Rodale
Burt Romotsky
Susan Rose
Marian & Steve Rothstein
Marni Cooney Rudert
Carol Sacks Satellite SB ¹
Edward & Judith Savage
Peter Sawyer
Amy Schneider
Carol Schwyzer
Richard Segan, in honor of David Segan
Patricia Selbert
Henry Selick
Dana Seltzer
Brian Smith
Kristen Sneddon
Solminer Wine ¹
Virginia Souza
Lynne Sprecher
Jim Street
David Swanson
Luke Swetland
Karen & David Telleen-Lawton
Jenna Tosh
Nancy Tubiolo
Paul & Mary Tucker, in honor of Charles Newman
Maureen Tunney
Alan Turnbull & Barbara Jean Barker
Topa Topa Brewing Company ¹
Trinity Episcopal Church ³
Ventura Rentals
Ventura Spirits ¹
Gene & Amy Zak Urban
Paul Wack
Elizabeth Wagner
Rance Wall & Deborah Williams
Michelle Weinman
Corey Welles
Sherri West
Kathleen Wheeler
Gilbert White
Sheila White
Tracey Willfong
Das Williams
Sara Woodburn
Janet Wolf
Bob & Robbie Wright, in honor of Sigrid Wright
Wild Farmlands Foundation, Ed & Shaylyn Seaman
Wylde Works ¹
Yola Mezcal ¹

¹ Indicates all, or part, was an in-kind gift

² Indicates all, or part, is a legacy gift commitment

³ Indicates 2023 Earth Day Festival sponsor

Anonymous
Angela Antenore
Diane Boss
Catherine Brozowski & Steve Conner
Katie Davis
Chris & Bob DeVries
Laura Francis – Sea Forward Fund
Lee E. Heller
Sharyn Main & James Hodgson
Terry & Jane Honikman
Judi Stauffer & Rick Hubbard
Karl & Nancy Hutterer
Bonnie Jensen
John & Karen Jostes
Bruce Kendall
Charles D. Kimbell
Marc McGinnes
Jessica & Michael McLernon
Carla Frisk & Jeff Newton
Mike & Betty Noling
Dennis Thompson & Lois Phillips
Paul Relis & Fanny Pearce
Michel Saint-Sulpice & Mary Staton
Ilene Segalove
John & Suzanne Steed
David & Karen Telleen-Lawton
Sally Warner-Arnett & G. William Arnett
Sigrid Wright & Matt Parisi

In memory of:

Jane & Robert O. Easton
Genevieve Estes
Ghita & Paul Ginberg
Selma Rubin
Tomi & Bob Sollen

Our Leadership

Board of Directors

CEC’s Board of Directors represents a diverse cross-section of our community who demonstrate a deep commitment to nurturing local solutions to climate change impacts.

Photo by Sarita Relis Photography.

PRESIDENT
Jon Clark
President, James S. Bower Foundation

1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Christine DeVries
Community Leader

2ND VICE PRESIDENT
Nadra Ehrman
Director of Sustainability, The Towbes Group

SECRETARY
David N. Pellow
Professor of Environmental Studies,
UC Santa Barbara

TREASURER
Peter Schuyler
Natural Lands Management Consultant, Community Leader

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Barbara S. Lindemann
Emerita Professor, Santa Barbara City College

Chandler Buie
Community Leader

Bill Cuttler
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer, Carbon2Cobalt

Geoff Green
Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Nonprofits

David Jackson
Zegar Family Foundation

Elliott MacDougall
Chief Executive Officer, Weymouth Development Group

Pat McElroy
Executive Director, The Project for Resilient Communities

Ivette Peralta
Director of Annual Programs, Future Leaders of America

Tammy Sims Johnson
Vice President, Philanthropic Services, Santa Barbara Foundation

Michelle Weinman
Firm Administrator,
Fauver, Large, Archbald & Spray, LLP

CEC Staff

Photos by Sarita Relis Photography and Maxx Hennard.

Sigrid Wright, CEO / Executive Director

Dominique Aranda, Climate Programs Associate

Michael Chiacos, Director of Climate Policy

Alhan Diaz-Correa, Senior Climate Projects Associate

Elizabeth Fry, Accounting Manager

Jillian Hall, Senior Communications & Marketing Associate

Katie Hershfelt, Director of Communications & Marketing

Jennifer Hernández, Director of Climate Justice

Em Johnson, Director of Climate Resilience

Kathi King, Director of Climate Education & Leadership

Tia Kordell, Communications Project Manager

Juan Lares, Climate Programs Associate

Sean McArthur, Climate Projects Manager

Natalie McGuire, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison

Kat Orellana, Climate Programs Associate

Rosheil Ramirez, Climate Programs Associate

Ana Rico, Embajadora de la Comunidad/Community Ambassador

Michael Sarrassat, Climate Program Operations Manager

Tiffany Sgueglia, Donor Database Manager

Bre Sliker, Climate Projects Manager (Agriculture)

Darlene Snow, Director of Development

Farah Stack, Climate Programs Associate

President’s Council

CEC’s President’s Council includes CEC founders, past directors, and esteemed friends who have devoted a significant amount of time, talent, and treasure over decades, working to protect our communities for generations to come.

Photo by Maxx Hennard.

Dennis Allen, Dennis Allen Construction (retired)

Diane Boss, Retired, Community Volunteer

Catherine Brozowski, Audacious Foundation

Laura Capps, Santa Barbara County, Board of Supervisors

Dave Davis, Past CEC Executive Director (retired)

Katie Davis, Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter

Brian Fahnestock, Santa Barbara City College

Laura Francis, Sea Forward Fund

Carla Frisk, Consultant (retired)

Karl Hutterer, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (retired)

Ivor John, Hydrogen Power Partners, LLC

John Jostes, Interface Planning & Counseling Corporation (retired)

Bruce Kendall, UC Santa Barbara

Charles D. Kimbell, Allen & Kimbell, LLP (retired)

Marc McGinnes, Environmental Activist, Attorney, and Educator

Maryanne Mott, Rancher & Philanthropist

Mike Noling, Community Leader (retired)

Paul Relis, Founding CEC Executive Director, Advisor to CR&R Inc., Writer

Michel Saint-Sulpice, Architect (retired)

John Steed, Law Professional (retired)

Dennis Thompson, Architect

Elizabeth Wagner, Village Properties

Sally Warner-Arnett, Community Leader

  
      2023
       
      2022
    
      ASSETS
    
      Cash & Cash Equivalents
      $    711,167
       
      $ 3,105,030
    
      Investments
      $ 1,155,509
       
      $      24,900
    
      Accounts Receivable
      $    282,485
       
      $    130,387
    
      Contributions Receivable
      $ 1,349,742
       
      $ 1,538,254
    
      Prepaid Expenses
      $      23,963
       
      $        6,445
    
      Right of Use: Operating Lease
      $ 1,663,523
       
      $ 1,731,413
    
      Fixed Assets
      $ 3,366,918
       
      $    917,245
    
      Endowment Assets
       
      Endowment Investments
       
      $ 2,225,707
       
      $ 1,985,458
    
      Invested in WBIG
       
      $    115,500
       
      $    195,000
    
      Total Assets
       
      $10,894,514
       
      $ 9,634,132
    
      LIABILITIES
    
      Accounts Payable
      $    155,060
       
      $    332,090
    
      Accrued Expenses
      $    224,766
       
      $    494,099
    
      Retainage Payable
      $      78,441
       
      $      73,186
    
      Deferred Income
      $        7,200
       
      $      22,240
    
      Loan Payable
      $ 1,500,000
       
      $    350,00
    
      Liabilities under Operating Lease
      $ 1,676,476
       
      $ 1,732,410
    
      Total Liabilities
       
      $ 3,641,943
       
      $ 3,004,025
    
      NET ASSETS
    
      Undesignated
      $ 1,332,743
       
      $ 3,386,041
    
      Board Designated - Quasi Endowment
      $ 2,210,700
       
      $ 2,049,951
    
      Invested in Fixed Assets
      $ 3,366,918
       
      $    917,245
    
      With Donor Restrictions
       
      Purpose Restrictions
       
      $    211,703
       
      $    146,363
    
      Perpetual in Nature - Endowment
       
      $    130,507
       
      $    130,507
    
      Total Net Assets
       
      $ 7,252,571
       
      $ 6,630,107
    
      Total Liabilities & Net Assets
       
      $10,894,514
       
      $ 9,634,132

Statement of Activities

December 31, 2023
(with comparative totals for 2022)

  
      2023
       
      2022
  
      Without Donor Restriction
      With Donor Restriction
      TOTAL
       
      TOTAL
    
      PUBLIC SUPPORT
     
      Special Events, Net
       
      $ 103,551
      –
      $ 103,551
       
      $    140,488
    
      Contributions
       
      $ 2,868,029
      $ 332,470
      $ 3,200,499
       
      $ 5,023,454
    
      Grants - Foundations
       
      $ 141,462
      –
      $ 141,462
       
      $      90,670
    
      In-Kind Contributions
       
      $ 80,075
      –
      $ 80,075
       
      $ 0
    
      Total Public Support
       
	  $ 3,193,117
      $ 332,470
      $ 3,525,587
       
      $ 5,254,612

      REVENUE
    
      Government Contracts
       
      $ 840,785
      –
      $ 840,785
       
      $ 491,975
    
      Earth Day Program Contracts
       
      $ 14,034
      –
      $ 14,034
       
      $ 51,208
    
      Solarize Program Contracts
       
      –
      –
      –
       
      $ 10,874
    
      Other Contracts
       
      –
      –
      –
       
      $ 55,298
    
	Rental Income
       
      $ 26,522
      –
      $ 26,522
       
      –
    
      Investment Income
       
      $ 221,136
      –
      $ 221,136
       
      $ (446,269)
    
      Total Revenue
       
	  $ 1,102,477
	  –
	  $ 1,102,477
	   
	  $ 163,086
    
      Total Public Support & Revenue
       
	  $ 4,295,594
	  $ 332,470
	  $ 4,628,064
	   
	  $ 5,417,698
    
      Net Assets Released from Restriction
       
	  $ 267,130
	  $ (267,130)
	  –
	   
	  –
    
      EXPENSES
     
      Program Services
       
      $ 2,815,914
      –
      $ 2,815,914
       
      $ 2,216,751
    
      Supporting Services
       
      Management & General
       
      $ 589,816
      –
      $ 589,816
       
      $ 484,375
    
      Fundraising
       
      $ 599,870
      –
      $ 599,870
       
      $ 652,861
    
      Total Expenses
       
	  $ 4,005,600
      –
      $ 4,005,600
       
      $ 3,353,987

      Change in Net Assets
       
	  $ 557,124
      $ 65,340
      $ 622,464
       
      $ 2,063,711

      Net Assets, Beginning of the Year
       
	  $ 6,353,237
      $ 276,870
      $ 6,630,107
       
      $ 4,566,396

      Net Assets, End of Year
       
	  $ 6,910,361
      $ 342,210
      $ 7,252,571
       
      $ 6,630,107

Statement of Functional Expenses

December 31, 2023
(with comparative totals for 2022)

	
      Support Services
       
      Fundraising
       
      Program Services
      Management & General
       
      Total Fundraising Services
       
      Total Expenses 2023
      Total Expenses 2022
    
      COMPENSATION AND RELATED BENEFITS
    
      Salaries
       
      $ 1,371,999
      $ 237,530
       
      $ 279,132
       
      $ 1,888,661
      $ 1,686,445
    
      Payroll Taxes
       
      $    106,564
      $   17,331
       
      $ 20,238
       
      $    144,133
      $    128,746
    
      Employee Benefits
       
      $    136,171
      $   40,732
       
      $   13,569
       
      $    190,472
      $    157,137
    
      Total Compensation and Related Benefits
      $ 1,614,734
      $ 295,593
       
      $ 312,939
       
      $ 2,223,266
      $ 1,972,328

      OTHER EXPENSES
    
      Professional Fees
       
      $ 78,758
      $ 11,466
       
      $ 34,767
       
      $ 124,991
      $ 126,149
    
      Advertising
       
      $    164,812
      $   176
       
      $ 38,816
       
      $    203,804
      $ 149,040
    
      Bank Charges & Interest Expense
       
      $ 2,660
      $ 57,249
       
      $ 9,927
       
      $ 69,836
      $ 20,625
    
      Building Rental and Repairs
       
      $ 138,818
      $ 24,353
       
      $ 9,371
       
      $ 172,542
      $ 210,072
    
      Contract Services
       
      $ 540,746
      $ 163,093
       
      $ 44,639
       
      $ 748,478
      $ 589,651
    
      Dues and Subscriptions
       
      $ 49,354
      $ 4,755
       
      $ 8,221
       
      $ 62,330
      $ 39,003
    
      Employee Relations
       
      $ 5,133
      $ 817
       
      $   314
       
      $ 6,264
      $ 7,891
    
      Equipment and Software Maintenance
       
      –
      –
       
      –
       
      –
      $ 75
    
      Equipment Rental
       
      $ 68,393
      –
       
      $   16,053
       
      $84,446
      $ 13,937
    
      Insurance
       
      $ 19,747
      $ 3,464
       
      $   1,333
       
      $    24,544
      $    17,209
    
      Meetings, Conferences, and Special Events
       
      $    59,983
      $ 6,472
       
      $   47,228
       
      $    113,683
      $    97,056
    
      Printing, Postage, and Mailing
       
      $    956
      $ 608
       
      $  15,722
       
      $    17,286
      $    36,330
    
      Supplies
       
      $    30,234
      $ 2,568
       
      $   1,148
       
      $    33,950
      $    69,571
    
      Taxes, Licenses, Fees
       
      –
      $ 1,048
       
      –
       
      $    1,048
      $    11,756
    
      Travel and Automobile
       
      $    7,556
      $ 1,495
       
      $   445
       
      $    9,496
      $    10,326
    
      Utilities and Telephone
       
      $    16,306
      $ 2,861
       
      $   1,101
       
      $    20,268
      $    19,557
    
      Depreciation
       
      $    78,652
      $ 13,798
       
      $   6,628
       
      $    99,078
      $    764
    
      Bad Debt
       
      –
      –
       
      $   120,000
       
      $    120,000
      $    13,731
    
      Donations & Sponsorships
       
      $    7,465
      –
       
      –
       
      $    7,465
      –
    
      In-Kind Event Expenses
       
      $    72,034
      –
       
      $   31,491
       
      $    103,525
      $    2,850
    
      Total Other Expenses
      $ 1,341,607
      $ 294,223
       
      $ 387,204
       
      $ 2,023,034
      $ 1,435,593

      Total  Expenses
      $ 2,956,341
      $ 589,816
       
      $ 700,143
       
      $ 4,246,300
      $ 3,407,921

      Less Expenses Reported on Statement of Activities
      $ (140,427)
      –
       
      $ (100,273)
       
      $ (240,700)
      $ (53,934)

      Total Functional Expenses 2023
      $ 2,815,914
      $ 589,816
       
      $ 599,870
       
      $ 4,005,600
       
      Total Functional Expenses 2022
      $ 2,216,751
      $ 484,375
       
      $ 652,861
       
      $ 3,353,987

VISIT CEC’s ENVIRONMENTAL HUB

Join us for an exciting line up of climate-centric lectures, workshops, and special events. View our calendar and learn more at envirohubsb.org.

ENGAGE IN CLIMATE ACTION

The climate crisis is daunting. But together, we can solve it. Find out all the ways you can engage by visiting cecsb.org/takeclimateaction.

INVEST IN A CLIMATE-SAFE FUTURE

Your support is critical. Join us in this urgent work by donating today and help ensure a climate-safe future. Give at cecsb.org/donate.

BOLD CLIMATE ACTION

Fiercely Protecting California’s Central Coast Since 1970

2023 ImpactReport

A Letter from our CEO and Board President

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

$10.9 MILLION in assets

$4 Million operating budget (19% growth)

27%GROWTH in program investment

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CEC’s Legacy:

50+ Years of Environmental Leadership

For more than 50 years, CEC has strategically catalyzed change on the Central Coast, influencing California and beyond.

1970

1973

1976

1985

1990

2001

2004

2007

2010

2011

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2022

2023

2024

2025

Our Work

2023 | CEC's Impact at a Glance

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Climate Policy

OUR WORK

OUR VISION

In 2023, CEC:

What’s Ahead

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Enacting Bold Climate Policies, Together

A groundswell of climate action

CEC is building a network of climate activists in cities across our region who are helping advance strong policies that bring equitable climate solutions to scale.

“Collective efforts create a meaningful impact that can effect change in the community.”

CEC Climate Activist

A community member who, alongside CEC’s Climate Policy team, participates in public meetings, sends emails to elected officials, and shares opportunities for action with friends, family, and neighbors.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Climate Justice

OUR WORK

OUR VISION

In 2023, CEC:

What’s Ahead

“Air quality monitors tell us what the air contains, how it affects us, and gives us information so we are able to protect ourselves.”

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Expanding Language Access

“Providing language services is one way we make this movement accessible to the communities most affected by climate change.”

Language access

The use of language assistance (i.e., interpretation and translation) so that people who speak non-dominant languages can have access to information, public services, and civic engagement.

Language justice

The just systematic treatment of people from all linguistic communities and respect for the fundamental language rights of all people.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Climate Resilience

OUR WORK

OUR VISION

Community-designed and led centers for resilience that offer centralized disaster services, support, and education to residents who are most vulnerable, or at high risk, during disasters.

In 2023, CEC:

What’s Ahead

“Extreme heat causes more deaths annually than any other climate impact in California. The combination of an extreme heat wave and power outages could present a large-scale tragedy for our most vulnerable residents.”

OUR WORK

Spotlight: Building Resilience for the Future

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria doubles as a climate resilience hub that can host up to 500 individuals during a disaster and offers 3 days of solar power during grid outages.

“My job is to prepare kids for the future, and that includes climate change.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Climate Leadership

OUR WORK

OUR VISION

In 2023, CEC:

“CEC’s youth climate workshops are an amazing way to learn about new ways to help in your community and meet new people who are passionate about the environment.”

What’s Ahead

OUR WORK

2023
Impact
Report

“Air quality monitors
tell us what the air contains, how it affects us, and gives us information so we are able to protect ourselves.”

To change everything, we need everyone.
Are you with us?